A group of female veterans is mounting a campaign to erect a monument in tribute to all female veterans from all wars on Town Hall lawn.

Last week, the Historical Commission gave its blessing with the provision the memorial be placed within the circle of monuments already on the lawn.

“We don’t have a choice where we go in that memorial,” said Michelle Hamilton, a Vietnam era Army veteran.

“I like the location and I’m certainly not opposed,” said Commissioner Wayne C. Perkins, strongly urging the monument be within the circle.

But Finance Committee member Kristopher Belken was concerned the women’s monument could open the door to other minorities who wish to be honored.

“Aren’t you represented in the other monuments already there? It’s already to a point where I think it’s already too large,” Belken said.

“Female veterans have generally not been recognized. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just the way it is. We have finally come to a point where honoring female veterans is in the forefront now,” said Hamilton. “Putting a stone to female veterans of all generations does not negate anything else. Generally the feeling is we are not a part of those other monuments ... It’s just the way it is.

“I can’t tell you the number of times I’ll have all my stuff on and people have walked up to my husband and thanked him for his service,” Hamilton said.

Many assume she’s in the Ladies Auxiliary. “If you’re not a female veterans you can’t totally relate to it, no matter what.”

Wearing an Air Force veteran’s ball cap, Mary Standish said, “I just lost my husband in May…I don’t know how many times people have come up and said to me, ‘Oh you’re wearing your husband’s hat in honor of him’ and I said ‘No, this is my hat.’”

“People talk about Deborah Sampson as if she was the only woman that served in the military, there were tons of other women, they were there, they fought and they died,” said commission Chairman Jane Lopes. “I think a monument is a wonderful idea.”

Veterans Service Officer Paul J. Provencher, who is also a member of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee, said his group voted unanimously to support the monument, but has yet to discuss placement.

The women’s group has raised $2,700, more than half of the $5,000 goal to cover the costs of the monument.

The Middleboro Veterans Memorial Trust was formed in 2004 when it took in $82,778 in donations to build the park. According to the 2010 filings, the trust had nearly $100,000 in their fund. A more recent report was not available on the Attorney Generals website and Provencher declined to disclose the balance.

Page 2 of 2 - “We didn’t ask (the Veterans Memorial Committee) to pay for the monument and they didn’t offer,” said Hamilton. “We want to raise our own money. It’s a pride thing.”

She said donations have come in from across the region and as far away as Colorado. The group is holding a spaghetti supper on Oct. 4 at the V.F.W. on Station Street as a fundraiser for the monument, tickets are $10.

Hamilton hopes to see the monument dedicated this spring. “It’s a rightful tribute to female veterans. We served too.”